Insulated gate field effect transistor having passivated Schottky barriers to the channel

ABSTRACT

A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate and in an electrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and at least one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layer so as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 Ω-μm 2 . The interface layer may include a passivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, an oxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of the channel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of a monolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor of the channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface. Also, the interface layer may include a separation layer of a material different than the passivating material. Where used, the separation layer has a thickness sufficient to reduce effects of metal-induced gap states in the semiconductor channel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/342,576, entitled “Insulated Gate Field EffectTransistor Having Passivated Schottky Barriers To The Channel”, filed onJan. 14, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,556 which is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/217,758, entitled “Method for Depinning the Fermi Level of aSemiconductor at an Electrical Junction and Devices Incorporating SuchJunctions”, by Daniel Grupp and Daniel J. Connelly, filed on Aug. 12,2002, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Thispatent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to solid-state switching andamplification devices. More particularly, the invention relates to atransistor having passivated metal-semiconductor junctions from thesource to the channel and/or from the channel to the drain and at whichthe Fermi level of a semiconductor which comprises the channel isdepinned.

BACKGROUND

One of the most basic electrical junctions used in modern devices is themetal-semiconductor junction. In these junctions, a metal (such asaluminum) is brought into contact with a semiconductor (such assilicon). This forms a device (a diode) which can be inherentlyrectifying; that is, the junction will tend to conduct current in onedirection more favorably than in the other direction. In other cases,depending on the materials used, the junction may be ohmic in nature(i.e., the contact may have negligible resistance regardless of thedirection of current flow). In addition to diodes, suchmetal-semiconductor junctions are also present at source/drain-channelinterfaces within a class of transistors known as MOSFETs (metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors).

As explained in the above-cited patent application, there exists at ametal-semiconductor contact a so-called Schottky barrier. The Schottkybarrier at a conventional metal-semiconductor junction is characterizedby Fermi level pinning of the semiconductor, due to both extrinsic andintrinsic surface states. The extrinsic states may arise from defects inthe crystal structure of the interface. The intrinsic states arise fromthe quantum-mechanical penetration of the electrons in the metal intothe bandgap of the semiconductor. These so-called metal-induced gapstates (MIGS) appear to be of fundamental importance in explaining thephysics of such junctions. See J. Tersoff, “Schottky Barrier Heights andthe Continuum of Gap States,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 52 (6), Feb. 6, 1984.

The Schottky barrier height at a metal-semiconductor interfacedetermines the electrical properties of the junction. Thus, if it werepossible to control or adjust the barrier height of ametal-semiconductor junction, electrical devices of desiredcharacteristics could be produced. To tune the barrier height, the Fermilevel of the semiconductor must be depinned. As discussed in detail inthe above-cited patent application, the present inventors have achievedthis goal in a device that still permits substantial current flowbetween the metal and the semiconductor. Below, the inventors present anapplication of this technology to MOSFET devices.

MOSFETs which incorporate Schottky junctions have a long—and largelyunfruitful—history. In 1966, Lepselter and Kahng were investigatingSchottky diodes. In that year they received U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,127directed to a device with a PtSi/Si interface. Use of the silicide wasfound to be an improvement over previous metal/Si contacts. The diodeswere reproducible and stable, in part because the interface was sealed,as noted by the inventors at the time. The silicide also may reduce theextrinsic surface states (defects). The remaining pinning is most likelydue to intrinsic surface states (MIGS), although this was not recognizedat the time. Shortly thereafter, Lepselter and Sze incorporated theSchottky barrier into a MOSFET (see M. P. Lepselter and S. M. Sze,“SB-IGFET: An insulated-gate field-effect transistor using Schottkybarrier contacts as source and drain”, Proc. IEEE 56, 1088 (1968)). U.S.Pat. No. 3,590,471 to Lepselter discussed the incorporation of theSchottky barriers, but the channel was still essentially isolated byimplanted regions. The first patent for a channel isolated by Schottkybarriers (U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,360) was issued to Wakefield andCunningham in 1973. This device also utilized silicided junctions.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,152, Lepselter described a Schottky barrierMOSFET. By eliminating the pn-junction in the source-substrate region,Lepselter showed that the parasitic pnpn structure responsible forlatch-up could be eliminated. The proposed devices still utilized PtSifor the source and drain metal, however.

An extension of Lepselter's early work is found in U.S. Pat. No.4,485,550 to Koeneke et al. In these devices, an extra implant is addedto extend beyond the source metal. This is similar to modern CMOS haloimplants. The extra implant improves the drive current capabilities ofthe transistor by bringing the channel edge under the gate. The channelisolation in this device is from a pn-junction, not the PtSi sourcemetal. An attempt to bring the source under the gate was investigated byrecessing the source/drain contacts by etching (see C. J. Koeneke etal., “Schottky MOSFET for VLSI”, IEDM, 367 (1981)). Sidewall spacerswere still a limiting factor, however. This was improved by Snyder asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,479, which also disclosed the abilityto control vertical doping profiles without regard to horizontal profilecontrol. The contacts were again made from PtSi.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,590 to Chan et al. describes a device in which thePtSi/Si junctions are not recessed. This yields a poor sub-thresholdslope from reduced coupling of the gate at the edge of the channel.Exponential turn-on, indicative of the Schottky barrier being too high,is seen in measurements presented in the patent. Further, thegate-source capacitance will be high.

Recently, MOSFET devices having metal-semiconductor junctions between asource/drain and a channel have been demonstrated with sub-50 nmchannel-lengths, using PtSi₂ (see, e.g., C. Wang et al., “Sub-40 nm PtSiSchottky source/drain metal-oxide field-effect transistors”, Appl. Phys.Lett. 74, 1174 (1999); and A. Itoh et al., “A 25-nm-long channelmetal-gate p-type Schottky source/drain metal-oxide-semiconductorfield-effect transistor on separation-by-implanted-oxygen substrate”, J.Journal Appl. Phys. Part 1 39, 4757 (2000)), ErSi₂ (see, e.g., J.Kedzierski et al., “Complementary silicide source/drain thin-bodyMOSFETs for the 20 nm gate length regime”, IEDM Tech. Dig.,International Electron Devices Meeting 2000, San Francisco, Calif., p.00–57 (2000); and W. Saitoh et al., “Analysis of short-channel Schottkysource/drain metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor onsilicon-on-insulator substrate and demonstration of sub-50-nm n-typedevices with metal gate”, J. Journal Appl. Phys. Part 1 38, 6226(1999)), and CoSi₂ (see, e.g., U. K. Matsuzawa et al., “Enhancement ofhot-electron generation rate in Schottky sourcemetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors”, Appl. Phys. Lett.76, 3992 (2000)) for the source/drain metal. Also, simulations have beenperformed all the way down to channel lengths of 10 nm (see, e.g., C. K.Huang et al., “Two-dimensional numerical simulation of Schottky barrierMOSFET with channel length to 10 nm”, IEEE Trans. on Elect. Dev. 45, 842(1998)), although a poor choice of device parameters limited theperformance results, e.g., a large Φ_(B). The performance of all ofthese devices is limited in part by the inability to control, andespecially to lower, the height of the Shottkky barrier at the sourceand drain interfaces to the channel.

Only two disclosures of a non-silicide pure-metal/Si contact embodimentof a Schottky-barrier MOSFET have been found by the present inventors.Welch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,584, seems to describe Schottky barrierMOSFET systems and fabrication thereof; however, a contact of “metal ormetal silicide” is mentioned. This is inappropriate for fabrication of adevice with a controlled barrier height. That is, there is no surfacetreatment or interface dielectric disclosed.

The disclosure by Hebiguchi in U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,398 is perhaps morepractical, and a method for manufacturing a thin-film transistor such asfor use in displays is presented. In this device (which is a fieldeffect transistor or FET), the source/drain contacts to the Si channelare metal (a list of possibilities is presented), but again, no surfacepreparation is mentioned.

FIG. 1 shows the FET 100 that was discussed by Hebiguchi. The transistorcontains a glass substrate 110, a gate electrode 120, a gate insulatingfilm 130, a drain electrode 140, a source electrode 150, and asemiconductor active film 160. During operation, voltage is applied tothe source electrode 150 and to the gate electrode 120. The voltageapplied to the gate electrode 120 changes the electrical properties ofthe semiconductor active film 160 allowing current to flow from thesource electrode 150 to the drain electrode 140. In particular, thevoltage applied to the gate electrode 120 creates a channel-generatingregion 170, in the semiconductor active film 160 a short distance fromthe gate insulating film 130, through which current may flow.

Hebiguchi describes the semiconductor active film 160 as beinghydrogenated amorphous silicon, the drain and source electrodes 140 and150 are formed of conductive materials (metals) such as chromium (Cr),aluminum (Al), tantalum (Ta), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tungsten (W),nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), or certain mixtures of these materials,and the junctions between the semiconductor active film 160 and thesource and drain electrodes 150 and 140 are insulating Schottkybarriers. The metal selected for an n-channel thin film transistor ischosen on the basis of having a workfunction that is smaller than thatof silicon and the metal selected for a p-channel thin film transistorhas a workfunction that is larger than that of silicon.

A significant limitation with the transistor discussed in Hebiguchi, isthe generally poor control over the Schottky barrier height. As is wellknown, use of different metals with widely varying work functions tendsto result in Schottky barriers which vary in height over a dramaticallyreduced range. Further, no special effort is made in Hebiguchi tocontrol or reduce extrinsic surface states.

Another type of junction to the channel is introduced by Yoshimura inU.S. Pat. No. 6,037,605, with the stated goal being to reduceshort-channel effects. An oxide or nitride is disposed between Si sourceand drain contacts and a Si channel. The oxide is thicker farther awayfrom the channel (down into the Si) to reduce currents not controlled bythe gate. The thickness of the oxide is “sufficiently thin to permitcharge tunneling”, and is disclosed to be 0.5 to 2.0 nm. This differsfrom the present invention, which is described in detail below, inseveral ways, for example the use of Si as a source/drain, as opposed toa metal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate(e.g., separated therefrom by a dielectric) and disposed in anelectrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and atleast one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layerso as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which aFermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region nearthe junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of lessthan approximately 1000 Ω-μm². The interface layer may include apassivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, anoxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of thechannel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of amonolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor ofthe channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient toterminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of thesemiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface.Also, the interface layer may include a separation layer of a materialdifferent than the passivating material. Where used, the separationlayer has a thickness sufficient to reduce the effects of intrinsicsurface states in the semiconductor channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and notlimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional FET having metal-semiconductor Schottkyjunctions between the source and the channel and the channel and thedrain.

FIG. 2 shows a FET having passivated metal-semiconductor junctions fromthe source to the channel and from the channel to the drain, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a method for fabricating a transistor having passivatedmetal-semiconductor junctions from the source to the channel and fromthe channel to the drain, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4A–4I show intermediate substrates representing fabrication of atransistor having passivated aluminum-silicon junctions formed from analuminum source to a silicon channel and from the silicon channel to analuminum drain, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates portions of a conventional FinFET device.

FIG. 5B illustrates portions of a FinFET device having interface layersbetween the source/drain and the channel in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates portions of a conventional vertical MOSFET device.

FIG. 6B illustrates portions of a vertical MOSFET device havinginterface layers between the source/drain and the channel in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates portions of a conventional MESFET device.

FIG. 7B illustrates portions of a MESFET device having an interfacelayer between the gate channel in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of different n-type devices havingtunnel barriers in accordance embodiment of the present invention undervarious gate voltage conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-cited co-pending patent application describes processes fordepinning the Fermi level of a silicon-based or germanium semiconductor(e.g., Si, SiC, SiGe, SiGeC, or Ge) at a metal-semiconductor junction aswell as devices that use such a junction. As more fully discussed inthat application, an interface layer is introduced between thesemiconductor and the metal. The interface layer functions to passivatethe semiconductor surface (that is, terminate dangling bonds that mayotherwise be present at the semiconductor surface so as to assurechemical stability of the surface) and to displace the semiconductorfrom the metal so as to reduce the effect of MIGS.

As discussed more fully below, the present inventors have determinedthat for thin interface layers disposed between a metal and asilicon-based or germanium semiconductor (e.g., Si, SiC, SiGe, SIGeC, orGe), so as to form a metal-interface layer-semiconductor junction, thereexist corresponding minimum specific contact resistances. Indeed,minimum specific contact resistances of less than or equal toapproximately 1000 Ω-μm² or less than or equal to approximately 100Ω-μm² or less than or equal to approximately 50 Ω-μm² or less than orequal to approximately 10 Ω-μm² or even less than or equal toapproximately 1 Ω-μm² may be achieved for such junctions in accordancewith the present invention. To achieve such low contact resistances, ametal that has a work function near the conduction band of thesemiconductor for n-type semiconductors, or a work function that is nearthe valence band for p-type semiconductors, is selected.

The effect of (and reason for) using such metals may be understood withreference to FIG. 8. Shown in the illustration is a 2×2 grid of banddiagrams. The upper two diagrams illustrate the operation of an n-typedevice having tunnel barriers (in the form of an interface layerconfigured in accordance with the present invention) and a metalsource/drain in which the workfunction is aligned to the semiconductorchannel conduction band under different gate voltages. Notice that thedevice is OFF (i.e., not conducting current) when the gate-to-sourcevoltage (V_(GS)) is 0. The device is ON (i.e., conducting current) whenV_(GS)>0. The lower two diagrams illustrate the operation of the n-typedevice having a metal source/drain in which the workfunction is alignedto the semiconductor channel mid-gap. Notice that even in the ON stateON (i.e., V_(GS)>0) a barrier to current flow exists due to bandbending. This results in a higher contact resistance.

The interface layers described in the above-cited patent application maybe used in connection with a semiconductor surface of a channel in aFET, as discussed below. That is, an interface layer may be disposedbetween a source and a channel, a channel and a drain, or both of aninsulated gate field effect transistor. Such use of an interface layeris described in detail herein. The present invention provides asource-channel and/or channel-drain contact wherein the Fermi level ofthe source and/or drain metal is aligned (or approximately aligned) withthe conduction or valence band of the semiconductor, depending on thetype of semiconductor material and metals used.

In addition, the junction of the present invention can be used in makingcontacts to source or drain implanted wells and will have the advantageof reducing the need for high doping levels (which are now reachingtheir limits of solid solubility). The high doping profiles wererequired in the past in order to keep the junction depletion layerrelatively thin, so as to increase the tunneling current, thus reducingthe junction resistance. However, it is becoming increasingly difficultto increase doping profiles in order to provide low resistancejunctions. It may be possible to reach the same level of resistance witha lower doping concentration using the present invention. It may furtherbe possible to achieve much lower resistance even with lower dopingconcentration. When the present invention is used with high dopinglevels, the resistance will be further reduced.

To aid in the understanding of the present invention, the followingdescription provides specific details of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in theart that the present invention may be practiced without some of thesespecific details, for example by substituting well-known equivalentmaterials in place of those described herein for semiconductors,passivation layers and/or conductors. Where the discussion refers towell-known structures and devices, block diagrams are used, in part todemonstrate the broad applicability of the present invention to a widerange of such structures and devices.

The present inventors have devised a scheme to passivate a semiconductorsurface such as a channel surface within a Schottky barrier transistor.The scheme involves forming a passivation layer which is a nitride,hydride, oxide, arsenide and/or fluoride of the semiconductor that makesup the channel. In some cases (e.g., when the passivating layer is ahydride or fluoride of the semiconductor of the channel), it may benecessary to include a separation layer between the semiconductor andthe metal source/drain to reduce or eliminate the effect of intrinsicsurface states in the semiconductor channel. The term interface layerwill be used in connection with the present invention to includepassivation layers alone and passivation layers in combination withseparation layers, where such separation layers are appropriate.

The interface layer chemically neutralizes and physically protects thesemiconductor channel surface. The interface layer also allows for atunable Schottky barrier, having a height that depends on bulkcharacteristics of the channel semiconductor and the source/drain metal,rather than on surface properties. This allows greater control over thebarrier height to meet the operational characteristics that are desiredfor the transistor. This scheme differs from past attempts by others toinsulate channel surfaces and provide adjustable Schottky barriers inthat the passivation materials used for the interface layer are notlimited to metals that readily form silicides with the semiconductorchannel. In other words, the present invention decouples the need forsemiconductor passivation from other considerations used to select thesource/drain metal, such as the desirability of a particularworkfunction. It further provides for greater control of theSchottky-barrier height than previously possible.

I. An Exemplary Transistor

FIG. 2 shows a transistor 200 formed on a substrate 210 (e.g., asemiconductor substrate such as Si or a compound substrate such as SOI)and configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The transistor 200 contains a channel 220 that is separatedfrom a source 250 and a drain 260 by interface layers 230 and 240,respectively, each of which form passivated Schottky barriers. Theparticular transistor 200 shown, which is one example of a switchingdevice, is an Insulated Gate FET. The interface layers 230 and 240passivate the surfaces of channel 220 in the regions of thesource/drain-channel junctions by chemically stabilizing the channelsurface. The interface layers 230 and 240 also reduce or eliminate theeffect of MIGS in the region of the source/drain-channel junctions bydisplacing the source/drain (250/260) away from the channel 220. Theresult of introducing the interface layers 230 and 240 between thesemiconductor channel 220 and the metal source/drain 250/260 is adepinning of the Fermi level of the semiconductor that makes up channel220. When the Fermi level of the semiconductor is depinned, the heightof the Schottky barrier will depend only on the difference of the bulkworkfunctions of the metal and the semiconductor in contact at thejunction, and will not be dependent upon the interface. The reduction inthe effectiveness of the MIGS to pin the Fermi level depends on thechoice of interface dielectric. There will be MIGS at the interfacebetween the metal and the dielectric. In general, dielectrics have muchweaker MIGS than semiconductors, primarily due to larger bandgaps. Thusthe choice of dielectric is important in determining the finalelectrical characteristics of the Schottky barrier junction.

The transistor 200 also includes a gate 270 surrounded by an insulator280. The terms gate, source and drain each refer to terminals of a threeterminal Insulated Gate FET. The source 250 and drain 260 are theterminals between which conduction occurs under the influence of anelectric field resulting from a voltage applied to the gate 270. Thesource 250 and the drain 260 are provided at opposite ends of thechannel 220 so that the channel 220 is disposed between the source 250and the drain 260. Often, though it is not a requirement of the presentinvention, the source 250 and drain 260 are fabricated such that theyare geometrically symmetrical. Symmetrical source and drain terminalsmay be referred to as source/drain terminals. A particular terminal maybe designated a source or a drain on the basis of the voltage to beapplied to that terminal when the FET is operated in an electricalcircuit. In the particular transistor 200 shown, the source 250 isprovided at a left-hand side of the channel 220 and the drain 260 isprovided at a right-hand side of the channel 220, although anotherembodiment is contemplated wherein the source 250 and the drain 260 areinterchanged.

The source 250 and the drain 250 may each contain a conductor,preferably a metal. Examples of metals that may be used include puremetals, alloys, refractory metals, metals that do not form silicides,and metals having a predetermined work function. The gate 270, which mayalso preferably contain a conductor, such as a metal, is located abovethe channel 220 and is capacitively coupled to the channel 220 throughthe insulator 280. Note, in other embodiments the transistor's threeterminals may be co-planar or the gate 270 may be disposed below thelevel of the source 250 and/or the drain 260 in the substrate 210.

The insulator 280 (which may be made of a dielectric such as an oxide ofthe metal gate or an oxide of a semiconductor) surrounds the gate 270and separates the gate 270 from the source 250, the drain 260, thechannel 220, and the interface layers 230 and 240. The insulator 280 isof a sufficient thickness to provide a high resistance between the gate270 and the channel 220 such that essentially no current flows betweenthe gate 270 and the channel 220. For example, the resistance may bebetween about 10⁸ Ohms and about 10¹² Ohms, or greater. Such aresistance may allow the gate 270 and the channel 220 to be capacitivelycoupled, while preventing current from flowing between the gate 270 andthe channel 220.

The insulator 280 may also or alternatively contain a high-k dielectricmaterial that has a higher dielectric constant than that of silicondioxide (i.e., higher than about 4.0). The high-k material may allow thesame charge induced in the channel 220 under the gate 270 to be achievedat the same gate voltage in a thicker layer. That is, the higherdielectric constant may allow the insulator 280 to have a greater layerthickness than a corresponding layer of silicon dioxide that providesthe same amount of insulation. The increased thickness may simplifyfabrication of the transistor 200. The thicker layer may also have lessleakage current than a thinner SiO₂ layer. Exemplary high-k dielectricmaterials that are contemplated include materials having a dielectricconstant greater than about 4 (e.g., zinc oxide, ZnO), greater thanabout 10 (e.g., aluminum oxide, Al₂O₃), greater than about 20 (e.g.,zirconium oxide, ZrO₂), and greater than about 40 (e.g., hafnium oxide,HfO).

As discussed above, the channel 220 contains a semiconductor material.The term semiconductor is used to refer to a material having a bandgapthat is greater than about 0.1 electron volts and less than about 4electron volts. Exemplary semiconductors that are contemplated includeSi, Ge, SiGe or SiC. The semiconductor material may have a wide range ofdoping levels including no doping at all. The interface layers 230 and240 each contain a passivation material that provides passivation to thechannel 220 by covalently bonding with a dangling bond of a surfacesemiconductor atom to fully coordinate the semiconductor atom andthereby help passivate the semiconductor atom. The passivation materialis preferably selected from the group consisting of a hydride, anitride, an arsenide, an oxide and a fluoride of the semiconductorchannel 220. Depending on the passivation material selected (e.g., whereH, As or F are used as passivation materials), a separation layer inaddition to a passivation layer within the interface layers 230 and 240may be needed. Of course, the combination of the passivation layer andthe separation layer must be sufficiently thin to permit the lowspecific contact resistances described in the above-cited patentapplication. Further details regarding the formation of an interfacelayer may be found in the above-cited patent application and will not berepeated herein.

II. Fabricating a Transistor Having Passivated Schottky Barriers to theChannel

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 for fabricating a transistor having passivatedmetal-semiconductor junctions from the source to the channel and fromthe channel to the drain, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The method starts at block 301 and then proceeds to block 310where a substrate is provided. At block 320 an insulated gate structureis formed on the substrate. The insulated gate structure may contain agate having a conductive material (e.g., a metal) and a gate insulatorhaving an insulating material beneath the conductive material. Then atblock 330 a channel is formed under the insulated gate. The channel mayinclude undercut void regions subjacent the gate dielectric andextending into the channel on both ends of the insulated gate structure.The method advances to block 340 where an interface layer is formed onthe channel sides. Forming the interface layer may include creating apassivating layer and (where necessary) a separation layer using one ormore of the materials discussed above. The method then advances to block350 where a source and drain are formed on opposite sides of thechannel, including on the interface layer, and within any undercutregions. Depending upon the interface layer thickness and robustness,the source and drain may be formed by substantially non-invasiveapproaches. The method terminates at block 360.

An alternative procedure does not use the undercut described above.Instead, there is an “underlap”. That is, in the alternative process thewidth of the gate is intentionally made less than the width of thechannel so that the gate underlaps the channel.

III. Exemplary Process For Fabricating a Transistor

FIGS. 4A–I show intermediate substrates, representing fabrication of thetransistor shown in FIG. 4I, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The particular transistor shown in FIG. 4I containspassivated aluminum-silicon junctions 482I and 484I formed from thealuminum source 492I to the silicon channel 430I and from the siliconchannel 430I to the aluminum drain 494I. However, this is merely oneexample of a transistor configured in accordance with the presentinvention. For example, planar devices, wherein the gate, source anddrain are co-planar in or above the substrate are also within the scopeof the present invention, as are embodiments where the gate is disposedin a plane below the source and/or drain. Likewise, embodiments whereinthe width of the gate is less than the width of the channel are includedwithin the present invention.

FIGS. 4A–I therefore show one embodiment of fabricating a transistor,according to the method 300. FIGS. 4A–4C show providing a substrate andforming an insulated gate on the substrate. FIGS. 4D–4E show forming achannel beneath the insulated gate, such that the channel and theinsulated gate define a first and a second undercut void region thatextend underneath the insulated gate toward the channel from a first anda second side of the insulated gate. FIG. 4G shows forming an interfacelayer on exposed sidewall surfaces of the channel. Finally, FIGS. 4F,4G, and 4H show forming a source and a drain terminal on a first and asecond side of the channel including on the interface layers, andforming extension tips within the undercut voids beneath the insulatedgate.

FIG. 4A shows a first intermediate substrate 400A containing a siliconsubstrate 410A, a layer of buried oxide of silicon 420A, a layer ofsilicon on insulator 430A, a layer of an oxide of silicon 440A, and analuminum gate 450A. The layers 410A–430A represent a conventionalSilicon On Insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate includes theburied layer 440A to help isolate proximate semiconductor devices formedin the layer of silicon on insulator. This isolation may help reduceshort-channel effects, as compared to semiconductor devices formed in abulk wafer. The buried oxide layer may have a thickness that iseffective to isolate the silicon on insulator, preferably greater thanabout 10 nm. The layer of silicon on insulator may have a thickness ofabout 20 nm, or slightly less.

As will be understood by a person having an ordinary level of skill inthe art and the benefit of the present disclosure, the SOI substrate isnot a limitation of the present invention. Other substrates arecontemplated to replace the SOI substrate. For example, the SOIsubstrate may be replaced by a Silicon-On-Sapphire substrate, althoughthis may increase the cost of fabrication, or the SOI substrate may bereplaced by a plain silicon wafer, although this may provide inferiorelectrical isolation of semiconductor devices and poor short-channelcharacteristics.

The layer of oxide of silicon 440A, in one embodiment silicon dioxide(SiO₂), may be formed by wet or dry oxidation of the silicon oninsulator, as is common in the semiconductor processing arts. The layermay be sufficiently thin to serve as a gate oxide and have a thicknessbetween about 1 nm and about 10 nm.

The aluminum gate 450A is formed on the oxide 440A. The aluminum gatehas a width 451A that is about equal to, or slightly larger than theintended channel length, which in one embodiment is less than about 50nm and in another embodiment is less than about 20 nm. More than slightincreases of the width over the channel length may increase the extentand angle of a subsequent undercut etch, which may complicatefabrication. The gate 450A may be formed by depositing a layer ofaluminum on the oxide 440A, depositing a photoresist layer on thedeposited aluminum layer, exposing a pattern including the width 451A inthe photoresist using conventional high-resolution lithography, removinga portion of the photoresist according to the exposed pattern, wet ordry etching a portion of the deposited layer of aluminum according tothe patterned photoresist, and removing the remaining photoresist.

FIG. 4B shows a second intermediate substrate 400B containing an oxideof aluminum insulator 460B formed on exposed portions, including the topand sides, of the aluminum gate 450B. The oxide of aluminum layer 460Bmay have a thickness between about 1 nm and about 20 nm. The thicknessmay be about equivalent to the thickness of the layer 440B, or slightlylarger. Larger thickness may improve performance by reducing capacitancebetween the gate and the source, however the additional thickness mayalso increase fabrication complexity by increasing undercut. Forming theoxide of aluminum layer 460B may include oxidizing the aluminum gate450A in an oxygen plasma etcher that provides a suitable oxidizingatmosphere, or by other methods known in the semiconductor processingarts.

FIG. 4C shows a third intermediate substrate 400C containing a gateoxide 440C formed by removing a portion of the layer 440B that is notbeneath aluminum gate 450B or aluminum oxide 460B. The removal mayinclude using the oxidized aluminum gate 450B–460B as a mask for thelayer 440B and etching portions of the layer 440B that are not subjacentto and concealed by the oxidized aluminum gate 450B–460B. This removalleaves a portion of the silicon on insulator layer 430C that is notsubjacent to the gate oxide 440C, aluminum gate 450C, or oxide 460Cexposed. Etching may include Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) to encourageetching preferentially in the direction normal or perpendicular to thesurface of the layer 440B. RIE is a dry-etch process wherein theintermediate substrate 400B is placed on a radio frequency poweredelectrode and provided with a potential that helps ionize and accelerateion bombardment of etching species extracted from plasma toward theetched surface.

FIG. 4D shows a fourth intermediate substrate 400D containing a siliconchannel 430D formed by removing a portion of the silicon on insulatorlayer 430C that is substantially not subjacent and concealed by the gateoxide 440C. Removal may include etching silicon on insulator that has astandard Si-100 orientation with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) toform angled sidewalls that slope inward toward the gate 450D, as shown.Alternatively, comparatively straight sidewalls aligned with the gateoxide 440D may be formed by a self-limiting etch in TMAH if the siliconon insulator has a Si-110 orientation. Such comparatively straightsidewalls may also be formed by RIE.

FIG. 4E shows a fifth intermediate substrate 400E containing an undercutsilicon channel 430E formed by removing a portion of the channel 430Dthat is subjacent and aligned with the gate oxide 440D. The undercutsilicon channel 430E contains an undercut region wherein the silicon isremoved from the channel 430D at a left and right-hand edge of the gateoxide 440D to allow a subsequent formation of source and drain materialvertically under the gate oxide 440E. Removal may be by anon-directional or isotropic wet silicon etch with TMAH wherein etchingtakes place in substantial uniform amounts along the sidewall. If thecrystal axis of the silicon on insulator are not aligned precisely withthe lithography, the TMAH etch may not be completely self-limiting andmay form an undercut due to the vertical ridges or stair steps ofcrystal structure. Alternatively, removal may be by an isotropic RIE.

FIG. 4F shows a sixth intermediate substrate 400F containing a seedlayer 476F, 472F, and 474F formed respectively on a top surface of theinsulated gate and on a left and right-hand side of the insulated gate.The seed layer facilitates subsequent formation of a metal source anddrain. The seed layer may be deposited anisotropically so that nosignificant seed layer material is deposited on the vertical sidewallsof the aluminum oxide 460F, gate oxide 440F, or channel 430F andessentially no metal is deposited on the underside of the undercutoverhang of the gate oxide 440F. This is desired to electrically isolatethe seed layer portion 476F from the seed layer portion 472F and 474F.In one embodiment, the seed layer contains chromium deposited from athermal source. Chromium provides desirable electrochemistry and is wellsuited for formation of ultra-thin films.

FIG. 4G shows a seventh intermediate substrate 400G containing amodified seed layer 472G–474G formed by selectively removing the layerportion 476F from the top surface of the insulated gate. Removal of theportion 476F is desirable to allow depositing the source and drainmaterials superjacent the layer portions 472G and 476G withoutdepositing the source and drain materials atop the oxidized aluminumgate structure. Since the seed layer portion 476F is electricallyisolated from the seed layer portions 472F and 476F, the portion 476Fmay be removed electrochemically by a Cerric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)chrome etch. For example, the seed layer portions 472F and 474F but notthe seed layer portion 476F may be electrically coupled with a copperelectrical probe at the edge of the substrate to etch the seed layerportion 476F but not the portions 472F–474F. It should be noted however,that another embodiment is contemplated wherein patterning may be usedto form chromium layers 472F and 474F without forming chromium layer476F. This may avoid a subsequent removal of the chromium layer 476F.

FIG. 4H shows an eighth intermediate substrate 400H containing interfacelayers 482H and 484H formed on the sidewall surfaces of the channel430H. The interface layers may be a monolayer, slightly more than amonolayer, less than about 0.3 nm, less than about 0.5 nm or less thanabout 1 nm (depending upon the desired Schottky barriercharacteristics). That is, in some cases an amount of passivationmaterial sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of danglingbonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of thesurface may be used. The interface layers may be grown in accordancewith the techniques discussed in the above-cited patent application.Passivation materials that are contemplated include arsenic, hydrogen,fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen, as discussed above, and the interfacelayers 482H and 484H may be made up of both a passivation layer and aseparation layer.

FIG. 4I shows a ninth intermediate substrate 400I containing a source492I formed superjacent upon the seed material 472H and beneath the leftundercut overhang and a drain 494I formed superjacent upon the seedmaterial 474H and beneath the right undercut overhang. The source anddrain have a thickness that extends above the gate insulator 440I.Desirably, the thickness may be precisely controlled. Forming mayinclude plating the potentially different source/drain materials on theseed layers 472H and 474H. This may include depositing a photoresist,irradiating the photoresist to expose a channel width pattern, removinga portion of the photoresist to expose the seed layers 472H and 474H,plating the source/drain materials on the seed layers 472H and 474H, andremoving the remainder of the photoresist. According to one embodiment,the source and drain materials are aluminum. Alternatively, the sourceand drain materials may be another desired and potentially differentmetal or alloy.

The transistor shown in FIG. 4I has a number of advantages. In general,the transistor provides a simple construction. This may allow extendingtransistor fabrication below 50 nm channel lengths, below 20 nm channellengths, or even below 10 nm channel lengths. Another advantage isgreater control over the Schottky barrier height provided by theinterface layers. The barrier height may be controlled by the propertiesof the interface layer such as passivation material, layer thickness,and layer formation conditions, in addition to difference inworkfunctions between the source/drain and the channel. This ability tocontrol the barrier height is further increased by greater flexibilityin selecting source/drain materials, since, due to the interface layers,the source/drain materials do not have to readily form silicides withthe silicon channel. Yet another advantage is low resistance in thesource due to the use of a high conductivity metal rather than dopedsilicon. Removal of dopants in the junctions in general may beattractive from an Ultra-Large-Scale-Integration (ULSI) manufacturingperspective, since application of such dopants is posing a limit toprocess controllability.

The channel-interface layer-source/drain junction(s) of the transistorshown in FIG. 4I are unique in that the Fermi level of the semiconductorchannel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has aspecific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 Ω-μm². Thisis true of all transistors configured in accordance with the presentinvention. Indeed, minimum specific contact resistances of less than orequal to approximately 10 Ω-μm² or even less than or equal toapproximately 1 Ω-μm² may be achieved for such junctions in accordancewith the present invention. To achieve such low contact resistances, asource/drain metal that has a work function near the conduction band ofthe semiconductor for n-type semiconductors, or a work function that isnear the valence band for p-type semiconductors, is selected. Thedepinning role played by the interface layer in tuning, adjusting, orcontrolling the height of the barrier between the source/drain and thesemiconductor channel involves both a reduction in surface states of thechannel, by bonding to the semiconductor material to consume danglingbonds, a reduction in the formation of MIGS in the semiconductorchannel, by providing a thickness and bandgap that prevent the electronwave function (of the source/drain metal) from penetrating into thesemiconductor channel. The electron wave function may instead penetrateinto the interface layer and form MIGS within the interface layer at anenergy related to the states of the interface layer material. Asdesired, the density of the MIGS and the depth of MIGS penetration intothe interface layer may be reduced by choosing an interface layermaterial or materials having a larger bandgap or higher effective massthan the semiconductor of the channel. The interface layer is operableto pass current to/from the semiconductor channel during deviceoperation.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to use an interface layerhaving a thickness of a monolayer, or, for example between about 0.1 nmand about 0.3 nm, and also having a wide bandgap (as compared to that ofthe semiconductor of the channel) so that the interface layer bothdepins the Fermi level (so that the barrier height depends predominantlyon bulk properties of the junction materials) and allows sufficientcurrent transfer across it. In some cases the interface layer mayinclude only an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminateall or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductorchannel to achieve chemical stability of the surface. Advantageously,such interface layers may be sufficiently thin to provide low impedanceto current flow (due to the exponential dependence of direct tunnelingon barrier thickness), which is desirable for many semiconductordevices, while also providing sufficient semiconductor surfacepassivation to allow an adjustable barrier height. That is, theinterface layer may allow passivation of surface states and reduction(or elimination) of MIGS in the semiconductor to allow for an adjustablebarrier height with a substantially thin layer that allows sufficientcurrent to be transferred across the interface layer.

As explained in the above-cited patent application, there are severalmethods by which the barrier height can be made adjustable. For example,adjustment may be made by tuning the degree of Fermi level pinning. Inother words, some embodiments may allow for a sufficiently thininterface layer so that not all of the effects of MIGS in thesemiconductor channel are eliminated. Further, the pinning may be variedby combinations of thickness of the interface layer and the choice ofinterface material. The metal in contact with the interface layer may bepinned by MIGS at different levels in different materials. Conversely,or in addition, the semiconductor channel passivation may be leftincomplete to allow for an effective level of unpassivated states.Complete depinning of the Fermi level (that is removal of all surfacestates in the semiconductor channel including MIGS) is another option,in which case one could tune the barrier height simply by choosing apure metal or an alloy that possesses the desired workfunction.

In summary then, one embodiment for fabricating a transistor on asemiconductor substrate includes: (1) forming a semiconductor oxidedielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate by oxidizing thesemiconductor substrate; (2) forming a metal gate on the semiconductoroxide layer by depositing a layer of metal on the semiconductor oxideand removing a portion of the deposited layer of metal based on alithographic exposure; (3) forming a metal oxide dielectric layer onexposed portions of the metal gate by oxidizing the metal gate; (4)forming a gate oxide dielectric by removing a portion of thesemiconductor oxide layer that is protected by the metal oxide formed onthe metal gate; (5) forming a semiconductor channel structure byremoving a portion of the semiconductor substrate that is not protectedby the metal oxide formed on the metal gate; (6) forming an undercutsemiconductor channel containing a source undercut region for a sourcetip and a drain undercut region for a drain tip by removing a source tipportion of the semiconductor channel structure that is subjacent to aleft-hand end of the gate oxide and extends underneath the gate oxidetoward the channel top interior and removing a drain tip portion of thesemiconductor channel structure that is subjacent to a right-hand end ofthe gate oxide and extends underneath the gate oxide toward the channeltop interior; (7) forming a source seed layer on a left-hand side of theundercut semiconductor channel and forming a drain seed layer on aright-hand side of the undercut semiconductor channel by anisotropicallydepositing seed layer material so that seed layer material is notdeposited on exposed sidewall surfaces of the undercut semiconductorchannel and removing a portion of deposited seed layer material that isabove the undercut semiconductor channel; (8) forming an interface layeron the exposed sidewall surfaces of the undercut semiconductor channelby covalently bonding at least a monolayer (or less) of passivationmaterial to semiconductor atoms of the exposed sidewall surfaces of theundercut semiconductor channel; and (9) forming a source on a first sideof the channel including on the passivation layer and within a firstundercut corresponding to the removal of the first portion of thesemiconductor channel structure and forming a drain on a second side ofthe channel including on the interface layer and within a secondundercut corresponding to the removal of the second portion of thesemiconductor channel structure.

IV. Alternative Arrangements

The transistor illustrated in FIG. 4I is but one example of the types ofFETs that can benefit from the present invention. Other FETs known inthe art may also realize such benefits by incorporating the presentinterface layers into source/drain-channel junctions. For example,so-called FinFETs may incorporate such interface layers. A FinFET is anexample of a thin-body SOI device and is the name given to a class ofFETs developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkely.Conventional FinFETs are described in detail in Yang-Kyu Choi et al.,“Nanoscale CMOS Spacer FinFET for the Terabit Era”, IEEE Electron DeviceLetters, vol. 25, no. 1 (January 2002), incorporated herein byreference, and an example of such a device 500 is illustrated in FIG.5A. As shown, the channel of a finFET is formed by spacer-definedsemiconductor fins.

FIG. 5B shows a Fin-FET 520 modified to incorporate interface layers 522in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the semiconductor source and/or drain are replaced with ametal source and/or drain. The semiconductor fins (i.e., the channel)contact these source/drain regions through an interface layer.

Another transistor where the present invention may find application isthe so-called vertical MOSFET, e.g., as described in E. Josse et al.,“High performance 40 nm vertical MOSFET within a conventional CMOSprocess flow”, 2001 Symposium on VLSI Technology Digest of TechnicalPapers. Paper No. 5B-2, pages 55–56 (2001), incorporated herein byreference. Vertical MOSFETs are characterized by a pillar-like channelsandwiched between a double gate. The source and drain are located atthe ends of the channel pillar. An example of such a structure 600 isshown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6B shows a vertical MOSFET 620 modified to incorporate interfacelayers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thistransistor is similar to the MOSFET illustrated in FIG. 6A but the upperSi n-region (the drain in this example) has been replace with a metaldrain and contact to the channel is through an interface layer 622.Thus, such devices may be asymmetric, having a passivated Si/metaltunnel junction at the top contact, and a Si p-n junction at the bottomof the device on the substrate side. Complementary devices may befabricated on the same substrate by first implanting p and n regions forthe bottom contacts, and then employing two different metals, each withwork functions chosen to yield p-type or n-type devices, as the topcontacts to the channel.

FIG. 7A illustrates yet another type of transistor 700, the MESFET. AMESFET (Metal Semiconductor FET) replaces thegate/insulator/semiconductor stack adjacent to the channel with ametal/semiconductor contact, intentionally forming a Schottky barrier.The conductance of the channel is modulated when an applied gate voltageresults in a change in the depletion width of the Schottky barrier intothe channel. The channel as shown may be a thin Si layer, as in an SOIsubstrate.

For optimizing the utility of a particular MESFET application, it may bedesirable to either raise or lower the Schottky barrier. This may beachieved as shown in FIG. 7B by implementation of the present inventionin a transistor 720 wherein a particular interface dielectric andcontact metal may be appropriately chosen. The interface dielectricforms an interface layer 722 between the gate and the channel. In otherembodiments, the gate may be poly Si instead of a metal.

V. Use of Transistor In Electrical Systems

Transistors such as those described herein may be used in chips,integrated circuits, monolithic devices, semiconductor devices,microelectronic devices, and the like within a number of electricalsystems. Electrical systems that are contemplated include computersystems (e.g., portable, laptop, desktop, server, mainframe, etc.), hardcopy equipment (e.g., printer, plotter, fax machine, etc.), and otherelectrical systems. For example, in one embodiment a computer system maycomprise a microprocessor having such a transistor to help executeinstructions. The computer system may contain other conventionalcomponents including but not limited to a bus or other communicationmeans to communicate information, a memory to store information (e.g., adynamic memory such as RAM or a static memory such as ROM), a displaydevice, a data input device, and a communication device such as a modem,as will be appreciated by a person having an ordinary level of skill inthe art and the benefit of the present disclosure. Any or all of thesedevices may include transistors configured in accordance with thepresent invention.

Thus, a transistor having passivated junctions from the source to thechannel and/or from the channel to the drain, and a method for formingsuch a transistor have been described. Although described with referenceto specific embodiments it should be remembered that variousmodifications and changes may be made to the techniques described hereinwithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.For example, metals other than aluminum may be used in transistorsconfigured in accordance with the present invention. Low work functionmetals that may be so used include Er, Eu, Ba, Cs, Ca, Ce, Rb, Sm, Y,and Yb. All have workfunctions less than 3 eV. High work function metals(for aligning to valence bands) which may be used include Pt, Ir, Pd,Re, Ni, Co, and Au. The specification and drawings are accordingly to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense and theinvention measured only in terms of the claims, which follow.

1. A method comprising: forming an interface layer on one or moresurfaces of a semiconductor channel of a transistor, the semiconductorchannel formed by removing a portion of a semiconductor substrate thatis not protected by a mask created at least in part by a gate structureformed above the semiconductor channel; and forming, on one or moresurfaces of the interface layer opposite the semiconductor channel, asource or drain terminal for the transistor so as to create achannel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level ofthe semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the interface layer comprises an amount ofa passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficientnumber of dangling bonds of the one or more surfaces of thesemiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the one or moresurfaces.
 3. A method comprising: forming an interface layer on one ormore surfaces of a semiconductor channel of a transistor, thesemiconductor channel made of one of Si, Ge, SiGe, SiGeC, or SiC; andforming, on one or more surfaces of the interface layer opposite thesemiconductor channel, a source or drain terminal for the transistor soas to create a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which aFermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region nearthe junction.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the gate is formed on anoxide layer disposed over the semiconductor channel.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein the oxide layer comprises a dielectric layersufficiently thick enough to provide only capacitive coupling betweenthe gate and the semiconductor channel.
 6. The method of claim 5 whereinthe source or drain terminal is formed from a seed layer created byanisotropically depositing seed layer material on the semiconductorsubstrate.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the oxide layer is formedover the semiconductor substrate by oxidizing the substrate.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the gate is formed on the oxide layer bydepositing a layer of metal on the oxide layer and removing a portion ofthe deposited layer of metal based on a lithographic exposure.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the interface layer is formed by covalentlybonding at least a monolayer of a passivation material to thesemiconductor channel.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the passivationmaterial comprises one or more of a nitride of the semiconductorchannel, a fluoride of the semiconductor channel, an oxide of thesemiconductor channel, an oxynitride of the semiconductor channel, ahydride of the semiconductor channel and/or an arsenide of thesemiconductor channel.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the interfacelayer includes a separation layer comprising a material different thanthe passivation material.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein thematerial that makes up the separation layer comprises an oxide of thesemiconductor channel.
 13. The method of claim 3 wherein the interfacelayer comprises an amount of a passivation material sufficient toterminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the one ormore surfaces of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stabilityof the one or more surfaces.